Reading Update & Reading Week Schedule

O'NEILL & ROST  We've begun our unit on reading nonfiction/ informational text.  Fifth graders are learning that readers of nonfiction read differently than readers of fiction.  Because nonfiction can be complex and very factual, we're learning that we read with a pen, annotating to help us process information and explore main ideas within texts. 

Target Learning Goals:  Readers of informational text/ nonfiction read differently by...

• ... previewing texts using H.I.V.E..
• we consider: Headings, Interest, Visuals & Vocabulary, and Engagement
• ... gathering our schema (background knowledge) to ready/ warm up our minds.
• ... using text features and context clues to determine meanings of topic-specific words.
• ... monitoring our comprehension and synthesizing by paraphrasing and sketching.
• ... reading with a pen, using boxes and bullets to jot down facts and main ideas.

TLGs in Action:  

MEZAN  The past few weeks we have been learning strategies that help us think and grow ideas about themes, life lessons, etc..  When you child is reading at home, encourage them to think about theme.  Ask them: What did the character learn? What did you (the reader) learn?  What mistake did the character make?

Target Learning Goals (TLG):  To develop ideas about themes, readers can...

• ... consider characters' mistakes.
• ... think about what the character learned.
• ... pay attention to what characters teach each other.
• ... pay attention to the problems in the story (we use the theme process chart to help us do this, see below).

TLGs in Action: 

To celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday, all classes are decorating their doors.  Here are some snapshots from Mrs. O'Neill's homeroom:

Homework: 

• Enjoy your weekend! :)

Reminders:

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Upcoming Dates:

• Tuesday, February 28:  Dress like a professional (Riverside students filled the tube again and voted for this reward)
• Next week is Reading Week! See the schedule below.

Reading Week Schedule: February 27 - March 3

• Mellow Monday: Wear your pajamas and get cozy while reading your book (Slippers are NOT allowed).
• Twilight Tuesday: Bring in a flashlight to read with during Reader's Workshop.
• Wear Your Words Wednesday:  Wear your favorite t-shirt with appropriate words for everyone to read!
• Dr. Seuss's Birthday Celebration: Wear RED and WHITE, or a Dr. Seuss shirt.
• Book Character Day: Dress up as your favorite book character.

Thank you,

Mrs. O'Neill